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Biogeochemical processes in tropical seagrass beds and their role in determining the productivity of the meadows

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Abstract

Porewater nutrient profiles such as nitrate (0.33–1.38 μM), ortho phosphate (1.47–3.44 μM), total nitrogen (1.24–7.22 μM) and total phosphorus (3.51–5.98 μM) in seagrass ecosystem subjected to different nutrient loading indicated the limitation of porewater nutrients in all the strata of different sampling sites of Palk Bay region. Sediment pH in the seagrass beds were alkaline and anoxic condition increased with increase in depth (56.2 mV to −52.7 mV). Significant positive correlation was observed between silt content and carbon (r = 0.359, P < 0.05) and nitrogen contents (r = 0.381, P < 0.05) of the sediment. Specieswise interpretation also indicated C/N ratio of the stations greatly promoted the biomass in Halodule pinifolia and Cymodocea serrulata. The sediment C/N stoichiometry (4.7: 1–16: 1) indicated that autochthonous C sources regulates the C biogeochemical processes in seagrass ecosystem which is well corroborated by the least square regression value (R 2 = 0.92) obtained between the C/N ratio and biomass. Meanwhile, the N/P ratio (11.7: 1–17.2: 1) indicated P deficiency in the seagrass beds. Though, nitrogen limitation was evident in the porewater, but it has not reflected on seagrass biomass and productivity which is, evidenced by the higher biomass of individual species. Nutrient biogeochemical transformations across the sediment-water interface influence the productivity of seagrasses in the Palk Bay region. In addition, nutrient pollution, eutrophication and light limitation due to algal mats decreased the growth of seagrasses which need to be attempted to develop the nutrient policies for sustainable management and restoration of seagrass ecosystem.

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  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India

    T. Thangaradjou, Pon. Subhashini, S. Raja, E. Dilipan & E. P. Nobi

  2. Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20740-3823, USA

    M. Bala Krishna Prasad

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  1. T. Thangaradjou
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  2. M. Bala Krishna Prasad
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  3. Pon. Subhashini
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  4. S. Raja
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  5. E. Dilipan
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Correspondence to T. Thangaradjou.

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Thangaradjou, T., Bala Krishna Prasad, M., Subhashini, P. et al. Biogeochemical processes in tropical seagrass beds and their role in determining the productivity of the meadows. Geochem. Int. 53, 473–486 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702915050055

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